ASIA/HOLY LAND - Gaza: dramatic report from Caritas Jerusalem. “ The streets, rooftops, and even the hospitals have been turned into battlefields and most people are too afraid to go out”

Gaza (Agenzia Fides)-“The medical personnel cannot leave home. My children are so afraid. We keep hearing explosions and shooting …there is fighting everywhere”. This is the dramatic testimony from Dr Bandalay El-Sayegh, director of a Medical Centre in Gaza, where fighting between the two Palestinian factions has thrown the people into desperation and chaos. The testimony of Dr El-Sayegh was sent to Fides by Caritas Jerusalem Fides in a report on the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Due to the heavy combat, Caritas Jerusalem has temporarily suspended its activity in the Gaza Strip. “Because of the dangerous situation around our Caritas Jerusalem Medical Centre in Gaza we have asked the personnel of the centre to remain at home for this week. And unless the situation improves they will be unable to resume their work of assistance” the report says.
“The streets, rooftops, and even the hospitals have been turned into battlefields and most people are too afraid to go out in the streets. Everything is closed, government offices, offices of NGOs, markets, shops and most schools although some are open for end of year examinations, for the students how manage to get to school ” the Caritas report continues.
In a protest march against the violence staged in the eastern part of Gaza where the fighting was less intense one of the demonstrators was killed. Hundreds of intellectuals, students, workers staged a demonstration calling for an end to the hostilities. One of the peaceful demonstrators Shadi al-Ejla, was shot dead by one of the many masked combatants and the demonstration was dispersed. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/6/2007 righe 26 parole 330)